metropical

been dealing with tired palms as I age. Although when I 1st got my CAAD9-6 in '09, I found it comfy, it no longer is.
Checked my seat height with a goni to get 30º bend in my leg at extension.
I'm thinking of adding a stem/headset riser to pick up perhaps 2" on the bar height, which I think will make me comfy again and not tire the base of my palms so much.
I realize this will put my bars back a bit as well, but I have an OEM stem that's 10cm longer than what I'm riding now, to move the bars forward if need be.
I see stem/headset risers of around 4". Do I just ring to where I want the bars and then ring whatever is left above that? Or am I not understanding how the extension installs/works?

shelbyfv

Have you considered something like the Surly Truck Stop bar? You might get enough height to avoid the kludge of an extension.

metropical

hadn't seen that before. but that would only get me ~1.5" of extra height.
not sure that will be enough.

genejockey 

Be cautious about making really big changes, and don't assume they'll do what you expect. I had to LOWER the bars on my Canyon when I got it, because my hands were going numb within a mile or so - I was putting MORE weight on them.

metropical

yea, it's a juggle. Time will tell.

Iride01 

As I've gotten older and do less, I've found that the muscles in my upper body, arms and hands are wasting away. So my bones, joints and nerves aren't getting the protection they should. When I exercise those areas to get my muscles back in shape, a lot of the new aches and pains I sometimes get on the bike go away. HINT: you can't exercise those muscles by riding a bike.

IMO, If you have to use more than just riser bars and whatever spacers you can put under the stem, you probably should get another bike that isn't made for a aggressive race fit as your CAAD. Try a Specialized Roubaix. Even a Trek Domane will give you a higher handlebar position relative to what you have now.

sced

I mounted one of these on my son's bike. The extension will clamp to fork steerer tube.

"ring = spacer"
"Do I just ring to where I want the bars and then ring whatever is left above that?" = yes

metropical

grazie

delbiker1 

Over the numerous years I have had to make adjustments due to spine and shoulder issues, and badly arthritic thumbs. My bikes now all have riser type stems and handlebars with shallow drop and short reach, or Porteur type handlebars. The most extreme is my Lemond Tourmalet; 35 degree stem with 120mm length, and Pro LT gravel bars with 65 reach,103mm drop, and 10 degrees of flare. It is not a look that I was fond of, but, I have gotten used to it. Most importantly, I can ride the bike in comfort again. It is one of my all time favorite rides.
This picture shows it with a Ritchie Beacon bar, but the same stem, maxed out height wise.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ca22564d28.jpg

metropical

that photo is a little dinky, no?

cat0020

I've used all three items below to obtain riding position that allow more comfortable for long hours in the saddle for different bikes.
They may add some weight to your bike, but made my rides much more enjoyable.

Steertube extension:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166315409704


Adjustable stem:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/276059796204


https://www.ebay.com/itm/374943214342

metropical

I'd seen those adjustables and was a little concerned about stability in general. Not that I'm doing centurys or the like.

cat0020

As long as your carbon steertube fork have a decent compression/expander bolt, and you tighten the stem securing bolt to torque specifications, what is there to worry about?

metropical

I was more thinking about the pivot point in the adjustable stem. The added weight is meaningless to me, I'm not that kind of rider.
Not concerned about the riser extension, that makes total sense.

cat0020

The joints on those adjustable stems are indexed, with angled teeth, plenty of support to secure the joints from moving once tighten to proper torque setting.

metropical

cool. Is one better than the other for my purposes, a road bike?

cat0020

For more adjustability, I'd go with this:

Adjustable stem:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/276059796204


If you're only looking to get more height/rise from your current reach of the handlebars.. go with the solid riser:
Steertube extension:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166315409704

metropical

think I'm more in the steer tube extension.

metropical

are all steer tubes 1.13" ID? aka 2.87cm? Can't find the dimension for the CAAD9-6 unless it disassemble ... so far.